5.9 avg / 10

Best Schools in Athens, Alabama

16 schools · 8 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 4 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 14

Private: 2

Districts: 2

Avg Rating: 5.9/10

Estimated Scores: 13%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.9/10
Median household income: $71,728
Median home value: $223,733
Bachelor's degree or higher: 26%
Avg commute: 28 min
Owner-occupied homes: 74%

How Athens compares

Alabama rank

#129 of 179

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.6

below Alabama avg (6.5)

Median household income

$72k

120% of Alabama median

Schools in this city

16

About Schools in Athens, Alabama

Athens, Alabama is home to 16 schools, including 14 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.

With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Athens show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Athens is Athens Elementary School with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Athens is served by 2 school districts: Athens City, Limestone County. These districts collectively serve 20,927 students.

Athens's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $71,728. The poverty rate in the area is 14.1%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (16) Elementary (8) Middle (1) High (3)

Filter by Type: All Types (16) Public (14) Private (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (16) Academics (16) Growth (14) Diversity (14) Resources (14)

Filter by ZIP: 35611 (10) 35613 (3) 35614 (2)

Elementary Schools

8 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Athens Elementary School 442 students · Pre-K–3rd	442	Pre-K–3rd	8.6
2	Brookhill Elementary School 348 students · Kindergarten–3rd	348	Kindergarten–3rd	8.6
3	Julian Newman Elementary School 382 students · Pre-K–3rd	382	Pre-K–3rd	7.4
4	Johnson Elementary School 377 students · Pre-K–5th	377	Pre-K–5th	7.4
5	Blue Springs Elementary School 499 students · Pre-K–5th	499	Pre-K–5th	7.2
6	Athens Intermediate School 607 students · 4th–5th	607	4th–5th	6.9
7	Piney Chapel Elementary School 197 students · Pre-K–5th	197	Pre-K–5th	6.1
8	James L Cowart Elementary School 331 students · Kindergarten–3rd	331	Kindergarten–3rd	4.3

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Athens Middle School 911 students · 6th–8th	911	6th–8th	4.9

High Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	East Limestone High School 1,281 students · 6th–12th	1,281	6th–12th	5.2
2	Athens High School 1,228 students · 9th–12th	1,228	9th–12th	4.7
3	Clements High School 560 students · 6th–12th	560	6th–12th	4.0

Other Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Athens Renaissance School 785 students · Kindergarten–12th	785	Kindergarten–12th	4.2
2	Alabama Connections Academy 7,245 students · Kindergarten–12th	7,245	Kindergarten–12th	3.6
Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL Private 256 students · Kindergarten–12th	256	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated
2	LINDSAY LANE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Private 570 students · Kindergarten–12th	570	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated

Schools in Athens

Athens, Alabama · 16 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes

Median Income

$71,728

Median Home Value

$223,733

Median Rent

$1,034/mo

Population

60,409

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

74%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Community Profile

Athens has a median household income of $71,728. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,733, with a median rent of $1,034/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Alabama
Total Schools: 16
Elementary: 8
Middle: 1
High: 3
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 5.9/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Athens schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Athens 📊 Niche Athens Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (2)

Athens City

8 schools · 5,034 students

Limestone County

17 schools · 15,893 students

Nearby Cities

Rogersville (2 schools)

18 mi

Hartselle (6 schools)

26 mi

Huntsville (70 schools)

22 mi

Hazel Green (4 schools)

24 mi

Danville (4 schools)

28 mi

Lexington (2 schools)

25 mi

Other Major Cities in Alabama

Top metros statewide by school count.

Birmingham 98 schools Mobile 81 schools Montgomery 72 schools Tuscaloosa 30 schools Dothan 24 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Athens, Alabama

How many schools are in Athens, Alabama?

Athens has 16 schools, including 14 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Athens, Alabama?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Athens is 5.9 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Athens, Alabama?

The top-ranked school in Athens on MySchoolScout is Athens Elementary School with a composite score of 8.6/10.

What is the best elementary school in Athens, Alabama?

The top-ranked elementary school in Athens on MySchoolScout is Athens Elementary School with a composite score of 8.6/10.

What is the best middle school in Athens, Alabama?

The top-ranked middle school in Athens on MySchoolScout is Athens Middle School with a composite score of 4.9/10.

What is the best high school in Athens, Alabama?

The top-ranked high school in Athens on MySchoolScout is East Limestone High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.

How many school districts serve Athens, Alabama?

Athens is served by 2 school districts: Athens City, Limestone County.

What is the education level in Athens, Alabama?

According to Census data, 26% of adults in Athens have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Athens, Alabama?

The median household income in Athens is approximately $71,728 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Athens, Alabama?

Yes, Athens has 2 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Athens Bible School with a score of 6.6/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Athens, Alabama?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Athens is 17.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Athens, Alabama?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.